It’s time for WNBA playoff fever. For the Liberty, it’s time for the Indiana Fever.

Their best-of-three first-round series tips off tonight in Indianapolis and Liberty coach Richie Adubato is starting to sweat.

“The Fever are the hottest team in the league right now,” Adubato said. “They went on the road and won eight of their last 10. They had their backs to the wall and went on a tear.”

The Fever were written off about a month ago, then ambushed the entire league to take the East’s final playoff spot from Orlando. Did someone say, “glass slipper?”

“I hope they’re not the Cinderella team in the East like Charlotte was last year,” Adubato said.

The same Charlotte team that shocked the Liberty in the Eastern Conference Finals, keeping their hope for a championship just that. And this Indiana team has even more weapons than Charlotte.

Fever rookie Tamika Catchings was a constant headache for anyone who drew the assignment of trying to guard her in the low post. The Tennessee product owned the paint during the regular season, averaging 18.6 points per game.

Adubato gushed over her talents. “[Catchings] is their leader. She should be First Team WNBA as well as its Rookie of the Year,” he said.

“[Catchings] was extremely difficult for us to contain the three times we faced her this season,” said Adubato, whose team beat the Fever twice in the regular season. “She’s quick around the basket and has great moves.”

The only problem with double-teaming is being forced to contend with the Fever’s solid outside shooting.

All-Star Nikki McCray has found success from the perimeter all season long, averaging 11.5 points per game. Point guard Coquese Washington has above average accuracy from the field, but it’s her leadership ability that has caught Adubato’s eye.

“[Washington] directs them in the right direction whenever she’s on the floor,” Adubato said. “She gets her teammates the ball in all the right places. She makes that team very dangerous.”

Not as dangerous as the top-seeded Liberty.

They can beat you either in the post, from the outside or trap you to death. Phillips (14.1) and Whitmore (12.7) continuously have their way on the blocks and require double-teams themselves. And don’t forget about the deadeye accuracy of Vickie Johnson and Crystal Robinson.

“We’ve got some veterans who can play,” said Adubato with a laugh. “Our players want it and will be at their highest level.”